Q: As a new employee, how long do I have to decide to enroll in insurance coverage?

A: New hires have 60 days from their hire date to elect to enroll in health, dental, and/or vision insurance.  

Q: As a new employee, when will my benefits begin?

A: Health insurance can begin as early as the 1st of month following date of hire; however, fringe benefit dollars, and associated insurance paid with fringe monies, will not begin until the 1st of the month following a full calendar month after hire date. 

Q: Who is considered an eligible dependent on my insurance? 

A: Eligible dependents include spouse or domestic partner, with copy of marriage certificate or State registration documentation; natural born children, with copy of birth certificate, or adopted children, with copy of birth certificate and adoption paperwork; and children in a parent-child relationship, with copy of birth certificate and affidavit of parent-child relationship. 

Q: What if I choose not to enroll in health coverage? 

A: An additional $300 annually will be added to the fringe benefit allotment (an additional $25 per month).

Q: If I decline coverage in health, dental, and/or vision insurance, can I enroll at a later date?

A: Yes.  Events allowing for enrollment are: loss of other coverage, effective 1st of month following loss (documentation is required); open enrollment, usually held in the Fall with effective date of January 1st of new calendar year; and late enrollment, effective 1st of month following a 90 day waiting period from date of request. 

Q: How long can an eligible, dependent child or children remain on my insurance plans? 

A: Eligible dependent children can be covered until the 1st of the month following their 26th birth date, whether they are a full-time student or not.  If a covered dependent child is disabled at the time of their 26th birth date, continuation of coverage is granted with medical certification documented (which requires periodic updating).  

Q: If I retire with lifetime health benefits, am I required to enroll in Medicare? 

A: Yes.  For those retirees who qualify for Medicare A and B, having paid enough quarters into the social security system, or, qualifying through a spouse, our health contract mandates enrollment in Medicare Part A and B when they become eligible.  Enrollment in Part B can be deferred if you plan to retire after attaining age 65.  

Q: Can I continue to cover my eligible dependents after I retire? 

A: Yes.  Unless changes are requested in writing prior to your retirement, all covered dependents will continue until/unless they become ineligible.  Health premiums for eligible dependents are taken directly from the PERS/STRS retirement check; however, without any fringe offset as that benefit does not continue beyond retirement.  Changes requested to your health coverage after retirement are to be referred to CalPERS, our retiree health administrator.

Q: Can I continue dental and/or vision coverage after I retire? 

A: Yes. Continuation of dental and/or vision insurance would be at the retirees own cost. NOCCCD utilizes OptumHealth Financial Services, Inc. to support the premium collection for retiree dental and/or vision benefits. If you choose to continue this coverage, you will be required to pay premiums on a monthly basis.